Location: Lost Haven, Maine- Center for Disease Control
Timeline: Three days after Racheli’s kidnapping
==~==
The man stared at the tray of samples on the shelf in front of him. He was tall, almost freakishly so, with bronze skin, shoulder length black hair, dark blue eyes, and strong, square features. He looked more along the lines of a bodybuilder or athlete than a scientist, but his credentials didn’t lie. Or, at least, they were a convincing enough fabrication that no one knew he was lying. To everyone here, he was Dr. Jose Vargas, and that would have to be good enough for them.
”You’re certain this is it- Ms. Desdemona’s blood samples?” he said, voice carrying a light Latin accent. He turned to look at the assistant who’d allowed him access to this room. She was pointedly staring down at her feet, for some reason. Odd.
“Um… y-yes sir. Those are the samples,” she said, shuffling her feet. Was that a blush?
”I’ll need all of the research data collected during Ms. Desdemona’s stay here. Perhaps there are some clues in her condition that will lead us to whoever kidnapped her.” He turned back to the girl.
”...If you wouldn’t mind getting those for me?”“Oh… Oh! Yes, of course- right away, sir!” With that, she scuttled off to parts unknown. The man watched her go, then turned back to the tray of vials on the shelf.
Glyph.ramos.You’re certain the surveillance has been… dealt with?as sure as i can be. if it’s still up and running after what I did to it, they deserve to catch us.Fair enough. I suppose that was a silly question to ask.not at all, boss. keeping your bases covered, i understand the logic- it’s admirable, being so thorough. so, do the thing?Ramos nodded, though the gesture was pretty useless, considering who he was conversing with.
Yes, Glyph. As you so eloquently put it, do the thing. He raised his hand, hovering just over one of the vials of black blood. A dark spot appeared on his palm, out of which a narrow tendril of dark red- almost black- metal snaked down, working its way under and through the seal without compromising it, before dipping into the dark substance within. Just as quickly, the tendril receded back into Ramos’ palm, leaving no evidence of his infiltration.
He leaned back from the shelf, closing his eyes as the sample he took was analyzed. The process was over in less than a second, and his eyes snapped open when it was, almost shocked. Glyph had a… far less reserved reaction.
jesus h. b. christ, boss. if i’m reading this right, this isn’t just a symbiote. this is the mother of all symbiotes- just the trace phylactery radiation i’m getting is off the charts. no wonder whoever snatched her wanted her.Indeed. If this is how powerful she is mere days after her genesis, she could be the most potent asset to the organization we’ve ever had.or a liability. not everyone is keen on our little… group therapy, as it were.I’m trying to be optimistic. If things do get ugly, bringing Desdemona down will not be easy, if this is any indication. Regardless, the Director needs to know about this. Patch me in.The “phone” in his head rang only twice before being answered. The Director was prompt like that.
”This is Director Noah.” The voice on the other end of the line was deep, rich, Scottish-accented.
”Is that you, Ramos? Do you have something for me?””Yes, Director,” said Ramos, reverence in his voice.
”It appears we were correct- there is definitely at least one confirmed Symbiote presence in Lost Haven. She’s… powerful, sir. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen. If we can get her on our side… she’ll be an enormous asset to our cause.””If she joins- she could refuse, Ramos, in which case, she will be a threat.””Have you seen something, sir? About Ms. Desdemona?””Nothing concrete,” said the Director thoughtfully.
”There’s too much… interference. Too many variables, too much I do not know about her. Find her first, and bring her to me for debriefing. We will know more once that happens.””Understood, sir.” The call hung up soon after that. Ramos breathed in deeply, somewhat unnerved, but also invigorated. He always did prefer this aspect of the job- hunting, recruiting, bringing more promising young men and women into the fold. And all the better if they were Symbiotes. Either their group as a whole would be made stronger, or a potential threat was eliminated.
A win-win situation, really.
Just then, the girl from before walked back into the room, carrying a sheaf of papers in a manila folder.
“Dr. Vargas?” she said, timidly. “I got that file you asked me for. Will you be needing anything else?”
Ramos turned to the girl, smiling, which caused her to avert her gaze once again.
”No, thank you. That will be all.”==~some time later~==
The streetlights casted their low quality light and gradually penetrated the night time skies with their dim, yellowish haze, illuminating the otherwise dark asphalt that separated the building’s entrance from the parking lot. Among the vacant scene was a single woman casually walking to her waiting limousine. Her heels tapped loudly and echoed in her wake, each step pronounced confidence. It pulled her quickly toward the oblong and darkened shape with a man standing within the shadows, his arm extended to hold open the door for her. Without a glance in his direction, Jacqueline Freeman ducked her brunette head into the car then listened to it snap close.
Something was wrong the moment she settled down. The sensation of someone watching her caused her neck hairs to raise in alarm and her eyes snapped upright to see a darkened figure sitting across from her. Her heart stopped. She felt her dread and fear snake itself into her throat causing a lump to rise, then settle there. Jacqueline’s eyes stared for several moments before she forced herself to speak.
“You realize most clients require an appointment?”The individual across from her chuckled, a dark, low sound. As her eyes adjusted to the dim interior, more and more of the figure’s appearance would become clear. He was not tall, perhaps only slightly taller than average, and built very slim. His hair was shoulder-length, mousy brown, framing an older face, with a prominent nose and dark, intense brown eyes. He was dressed finely, carrying a strange-looking cane- the surface seemed too smooth, too perfect somehow.
The man leaned back, hands gripped loosely on the too-perfect cane.
”Beg pardon, madam, but this was a matter of some urgency, and who knows when I’d be able to get an appointment?” he said coyly, with a strong Scottish accent. He smiled at her, warm, yet unnerving- it never quite reached his eyes.
Jacqueline was an established poker player of sorts, her business skills required she was able to read complete strangers in the shortest period of time. However, she felt something was off with him. This immediately made her suspicious, not to mention the fact he had literally broken into her limo without much effort and Carlos was too loyal to allow such a thing to happen. Something obviously happened to her driver causing her eyes to harden despite the man’s polite demeanour.
”Ms. Freeman, I’m going to get right to the point. I understand that, up until a short while ago, you were in the possession of a… very particular item. A virus, of some sort, perhaps? You don’t need to answer, Ms. Freeman- I know very well what it was you had in your grasp. I consider myself… somewhat of an expert on the subject.
“So I wonder, Ms. Freeman, if you’d like to get your missing property back?”It was the Gene Co CEO’s turn to settle back in her seat, her right leg crossed over her left while she put on her business face. It didn’t reveal her shock, fear or other emotions swirling around within her fluttering heart. Her gun grey eyes studied the man then started to speak.
“It’s a pity you didn’t do your research. Else you would’ve realized this is among the worst ways to get my attention. As for answering your question, I have no idea who you are or how you know this but you might want to leave. Security will be here shortly.” Unknown to the man, Jacqueline had made strict instructions to her security that if her vehicle didn’t begin to pull within a minute then a man went out to investigate. If everything was fine, she would give them an estimated time she would be driving out and send the man back. Currently the woman was now just waiting for the man to turn up so he could escort the individual from her limo then return home.
The Scottish man merely smiled, then knocked on the window behind him. After a second’s pause, the limo began to move.
”Your security protocols have been adjusted, Ms. Freeman, for this night and this night alone. Do not be alarmed. Your usual staff is unharmed. You will not be harmed, and you will arrive at your destination in a timely fashion. Which will give us plenty of time to illuminate one another.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Director Noah. I represent the Polaris Organization. And I am very much interested in the same thing you are- retrieving whatever property is contained within one Miss Racheli Lorne Desdemona.”The man introduced as Director Noah grinned wider.
”I wager, however, that you are unaware as to why it is so vital that Miss Desdemona be retrieved, hmm? Would you like to know?”Jacqueline’s lips tightened. Her eyes narrowed and her expression fought against the paleness creeping over her skin at realizing how much danger she was in. Fingers tighten briefly in her lap while she adjusted in her seat, her hand tugged her skirt straight once more when she spoke.
“Why would you be interested in this woman and what makes you believe I have any desire to retrieve her or whatever you believe is inside of her? This is a corporation for medical care, not human trafficking and we both are smart to know the cost of breaking such a law would bring.” Deep inside, her attention never wavered from Noah as she tried to bluff herself from the situation she was in. If she cracked and admitted to illegal dealings whenever some two-bit thug or corrupted police officer tried to convince her they knew something more about her operation then she wouldn’t have gotten where she is now.
Noah’s smile shrank marginally. His hands adjusted on the cane he grasped.
”Ms. Freeman. I admire your organization, and your accomplishments, besides. I'm hoping you and I can cultivate an… effective working relationship. But,” he said, leaning forward, voice dropping dangerously,
”that cannot happen if you continue to insult my intelligence.”The Gene Co CEO stiffened up and spoke in a surprisingly firm voice, her eyes keeping watch over his. She had noted the change in his aura and body language but still resisted the voice of reason begging her to be cautious as she replied,
“And you’re expecting me to take your word alone without any proof of what you say is true. Do you think you’re only individual who has tried to blackmail me for personal gain through these exact methods? If this is how you proceed to deal with these meetings, then pardon me for not fully accepting your words alone.” ”Blackmail?” His voice sounded surprised at the insult.
”Is that what you think I'm doing? You cast aspersions at my integrity now, Ms. Freeman. I'm hurt.”Noah leaned back, a hand reaching into his suit jacket and pulling out a smartphone-like device, too flawless, like his cane. He tapped a few actions onto the screen.
”You're right about one thing, though. I have gone about this entirely wrong. If it is evidence you desire, Ms. Freeman,” he said, leaning forward and handing her the device,
”then read through these files. I think you’ll find that my accusations are not baseless.
“Oh, and for the record, dear, these are not the only copies of the files in my possession, so don't try and destroy the device. Not that you could, anyway,” said Noah, smiling his icy-warm smile.
Jacqueline’s hand gingerly reached out for the smart phone. Her eyes trailed downward and her finger flipped through the smartphone’s screen, reading the details over her corporation’s dirty secrets. There were a number of images over the ruined laboratory in Michigan, their surveillance over Ms. Desdemona, and much more. Her fingers tightened about the device as if to shatter it, her expression abnormally still in reaction while she handed it back. Her hand quivered ever slightly in the transaction.
“You have my attention now and I see you’ve come prepared. My biggest concern is simple: What do you have to gain by her recapture?” Jacqueline asked, her eyes never leaving Noah’s image. The cold still seeped in her very veins and chilled her to the very bone, drawing a sense of dread along with it.
The faintest trace of warmth more seeped into Director Noah’s smile as he took the device back, hearing the CEO’s words.
”And now we come to the crux of the issue. Excellent. Allow me to explain, then- Polaris is a privately-owned, privately-funded organization. Our purpose is the study of various advanced technologies, and our efforts to slow the proliferation of said devices should they prove harmful to society at large. Our focus, however, is what draws me here today.
“Ms. Freeman, you are no doubt aware that we on this Earth are not alone in the universe. D-Day, Umbraxis- one would have to be a fool to ignore such evidence. But there is more evidence that has gone ignored or unnoticed by the world at large, even here in Lost Haven. A particularly powerful, and occasionally insidious, breed of device that my organization has come to call a Phylactery.
“And powerful they are, indeed. They operate by binding to a living host, proliferating and propagating themselves within the organism. Not unlike… a virus.”Noah smiled as he put his phone away.
“You see what I'm getting at, I take it? That was no virus you possessed, Ms. Freeman. It is an extraterrestrial artefact, of very potent capability. In exchange for taking up residence in their host, Phylacteries grant the individual extremely potent abilities, as you no doubt recorded. What we have to gain from her recapture, therefore, is simple. We keep such abilities out of the hands of those who would use it to harm.”“One thing I’ve learned from individuals… it’s never as straightforward as it appears. As a business woman, I’ve come to expect this in every dealing I’ve ever made as that’s how the world works. Those who are willing to manipulate or omit key facts to rise closer to their final desire,” Jacqueline pointed out, though she was careful to keep her words unthreatening as possible,
“I find it difficult to believe this is all you want and there’s not a bigger game at play within your offer.” Noah stopped smiling then, suddenly deadly serious.
”You misunderstand- this is not a business transaction. I'm not in any dire need of money or prestige, or my organization would not be as clandestine as it is. My concern is for humanity’s sake, not my own.
“These are the terms I offer, Ms. Freeman. I help you procure Miss Desdemona or her remains, as the case may be. I give you the means to restrain her- properly this time. And you can carry on with your research, this time with far more security afforded to you. In exchange, our organization would appreciate if you share the fruits of your labors with us. In this way, we can both prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future. You might even come out of this incident with a profit.
“Are those terms acceptable to you, Ms. Freeman?”“It is. Any choice in the matter isn’t an option currently,” She pointed out then inhaled then breathed out, her words continued,
“There’s only one issue with this… Ms. Desdemona's whereabouts are unknown and I’m not fully sure if we’ll be able to locate her when she resurfaces. In addition, how would we contact you when we have?” ”I was just coming to that, Ms. Freeman. I will provide you with a number of my agents, to coordinate your efforts. They are experienced with this sort of thing, and will contact me when the job is done. You will also be equipped with a number of… devices that I've developed, for precisely these purposes. Normally I would handle this operation myself, but my organization is… rather private, and Lost Haven is rather high-profile of a location. I would prefer to stay out of the spotlight for some time yet, in order to keep my advantage over those who would wish me and mine ill. Thus, I will equip you, so as to minimize my exposure, and increase your agents’ effectiveness in reacquiring your investment.
“Tracking these beings, Ms. Freeman, is somewhat of a long game,” said Noah.
”Play your hand too far, and your opponent will fold, leave the table. And you will lose your chance to triumph. You must be cautious. I have had similar dealings with organizations such as yours in the past, where my agents would be too exposed. We will find Miss Desdemona, Ms. Freeman, of that you can be sure. But it will take time.””When will these individuals arrive and who they are? Namely so I can prepare for their arrival and ensure they won’t simply be turned away at the door,” Jacqueline commented as she adjusted her skirt for the second time. Her peripheral vision the buildings flashed by drawing nearer to her home, her thoughts turned to the whereabouts of Carlos and looking forward for this situation to be over.
Noah smiled, turning his head to speak into what was presumably a microphone on his lapel.
”Pull over. Privacy screen down.” The limo turned gently to stop on the side of the street, before the divider between the driver and passengers lowered. In the driver’s seat was a tall, bronze-skinned, black-haired man.
”This is Ramos. My right hand. He is the first and foremost of my agents that will be on loan to you for the duration of this operation.””How do you do, madam?” said Ramos, as the car began to move once again, and the man's eyes turned back to the road. Noah turned back to Jacqueline.
”The other two agents I will loan you will arrive with Ramos- you will identify them in that way.”Jacqueline merely nodded, but didn’t say a word for several moments.
“Is there any additional information I will need to know before this arranged meeting ends?” Noah chuckled.
”Just be patient, Ms. Freeman. There will be plenty of time for briefing once my agents arrive to supply you.” He turned to look out the window, then exhaled softly.
”Alas, our time is at an end, Ms. Freeman. I do so appreciate your hospitality, however. Tomorrow, your usual driver and staff will be returned to their duties, none the worse for wear. In the next week, Ramos and his associates will arrive with the tools you will need to track and neutralize Miss Desdemona. It’s been a pleasure, my dear- may all our meetings be this productive,” he finished, just as the car stopped in front of Jacqueline’s house.
A slender man casually strolled to the limo’s side door. Where his arm reached for the handle, a slight hiss like heat pressed to the cold steel sounded. With a gentle click, he pulled it open and peered his smirking face in curiously. “Evening, any issues here?”
Jacqueline glanced at the sight of Tristan’s face leaning into the vehicle and a bit of her worry melted away. Not because of the unusual heat that emitted from his body, but rather the fact if things slid down hill during this transaction he would be around to even the odds. Her head turned toward him and twisted to file out causing him to retreat back a few steps.
“Not at the moment,” Came her simple answer, her suited figure gracefully coming to a full stand on the sidewalk,
“Please return the vehicle when you’re finished with it and in the same condition. Good Evening Mr….?” ”Noah will suffice, for now,” came the gentle reply.
Jacqueline nodded then turned on heel toward her home. Meanwhile, Tristan had stood at attention the whole time. His hand became slightly reddish behind his back where it tucked in and hidden from sight, ready to unleash a torrent of controlled magma at a moment’s notice. His eyes darted side to side as his heat vision noted exactly where about nine others like himself were. His breath held tightly in his chest until it felt close to bursting.
It released in a long exhale when she casually brushed her fingers along his upper arm and gestured for him to follow her. Shrugging lightly, his eyes casting a rather hardened warning, Tristan moved to follow her.
Noah smirked at the bodyguard’s glare, as though amused at the attempt to intimidate him, then closed the door as the car began to move away. When the limo was a sufficient distance away, Noah turned toward the driver’s seat once again.
”Bug sweep results, Ramos?””If there were any listening or recording devices in the vehicle, Director, they are neutralized now.””Exquisite,” said a light, haughty voice from thin air next to Noah. In an instant, the air rippled and warped, revealing the form of a slim, lithe black woman, hair tied back in a long ponytail, wearing a navy blue suit.
“I wondered when your conversation would conclude. It was getting rather dull sitting on my hands and not simply slap her for making matters difficult,” said the woman, in a crisp, refined British accent.
”A necessary precaution, my dear Charlotte. In case her security decided to play rough with us.” “I feel this whole ordeal was rather pointless as she didn’t quite understand our intentions and only submitted when we threatened her company. I am always surprised when people refuse to accept that others might know what is best for them and fighting gets them nowhere. ””With respect, Director, I am concerned,” said Ramos from the driver’s seat.
”You're not seriously intending to let that woman and her company lay their hands on Miss Desdemona again, are you?” Noah laughed in response.
”Ramos, have some faith. I would sooner let that woman turn her tender mercies on myself than let that poor girl fall into her clutches again. No. Once we have acquired Miss Desdemona, ostensibly for our new business partners, she will meet with... an unfortunate accident. No part of her will be available for recovery- the Phylactery’s weakness to heat is well-documented, is it not?””Of course, Director.””Meanwhile, Miss Desdemona will have been acquired and transported to a safe location, where she can be briefed and judged for suitability to join the organization. Whether she joins or not, the poor girl will never again find herself victim to the predations of one Jacqueline Freeman.” “I don’t believe your new ‘partner’ will appreciate such a scandal,” said Charlotte, smirking at the Director’s line of thinking.
“You seem so earnest to help her recover what she believes is her property after all. It’s a pity she will never know the truth.” Noah simply smiled at that, then pulled out his phone, tapping a few actions onto the screen and holding it to his ear. It rang only once before being picked up by a thickly-accented Russian voice.
”Director.””Operation success. Rendezvous in Lost Haven for your next assignment.””At once, Director.” The line went dead, and Noah put away his phone away, smiling. All according to plan.
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